The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-13


was still denied by immense num-
bers of citizens. The Democratic leaders.
with marked and elevated patriotism, had ac
cepted the decision and recommended acquies-
cence to their followers, but there was a sullen
ness abroad that made many feel uneasy. 1t
was not so long since the country had emerged
from civil war. Mr. Tilden had been publicly
recommended to take the oath of Office at New
York. and thus raise the question of the legality
OF Hayess inauguration at the capital This
possibility was known. and to meet the contin-
gency the Chief Justice of the United States was
invited to the dinner at the White House. Dur
ing the evening Mr.. Fish approached Mr. Hayes,
by the desire of Grant, and reminded him that
tine public inauguration could not with pro-
prlefy take place on Sunday. But 1T
was extremely important that no oppor
tunitv to dispute the legality of any
of the proceedings should be allowed; the
Secretary of State, therefore, inquired whether
Mr.. Hayes would take the oath of Office then
ION Saturday. or on Sunday, the 4th of March.
Mr.. Hayes replied that he could not possibly be
sworn IN on Sunday. Thereupon the Presi-
dent and the Presdent-eect, the Chief Justice
and the Secretary OF State, and one or two
others. after dinner went into the Red Room,
apart from the rest of the company. and, on
the Sd of March, Hayes took the oath of office
before the Chief justice. and was inaugurated
President. On the 9th of March he renewed
the oath formally at the Capitol Grant
companied him thither. and returned with
him to the White House, where a large party
for HAYES.
Grant had done all that was proper in his posi-
ton to assist in the election of Hayes, and very
much indeed to facilitate his installation, and
Hayes appreciated this course. A few days
after the 4th of March. Mr.. Hayes invited Grant
to say If there were any personal friends in
Office that Grant would like to have retained.
Grant named about half dozen, among whom
his brother-in- law, Mr.. Cramer. the minister to
Denmark. was one. My own name as consul
general at London was also mentioned. These
requests Mr.. Hayes religiously observed though
In my case, at least. great pressure was brought
to induce him to break his pledge My place
was wanted by two Cabinet ministers for their
own friends. and was actually offered to Chester
A. Arthur, then collector at New York, by Sher-
man. the Secretary of the Treasury. Arthur de-
clined it, and 1 nevor heard that Shermans
offer was authorized by Hayes. Mr.. Sherman,
however, was under no obligation to me nor. in
ded. to General Grant, beyond that which every
citizen of the country shared.
The new administration showed Grant all
proper civiiities during his stay abroad Naval
vessels were placed at his disposal in European
and Asiatic waters, and diplomatic and consular
officers were instructed by the State Department
to pay him every honor in the countries to
which they were accredited But the policy of
Mr.. Hayess government Grant always thought
reflected on his own An avowed and personal
enemy of the ex President was made Secretary
of the Interior, while the Secretary of State and
the Secretary of the Treasury men for
WHOM lie nau no personal preferences. ne also
disliked many of Hayess inferior appointments
and never protested any admiration for his ad-
mlnistration. He was much mortified at the
appointment of Schurz as Secretary of the In
terror
But he was out OF power. and the authority of
an incoming administration was greater than all
the influence of the ex President.
I suppose this feeling on Grants part was n OF
unnatural; after having been so long the head
of the state he could hardly admire the course
of an administration which bad its own aims and
ambitions to foster it's own friends to appoint,
its loves and hates to crafty. Is was
Hayes's administration. not Grants, and Grant,
who had more than spice of human nature in
his composition, liked it less than if it had con-
suited his wishes views instead of its own.
He felt, besides. whether justly or not do not
venture to decide, that his assistance haying
been Indispensable to the installation of Hayes.
he should have been more considered afterward.
He thought that the reversal of much of his own
policy not only unwise but offensive, and he
endured his share OF the modification that
comes to every man who has filed high public
place and descends to position in which he has
no longer houors emo!uments to dispense,
and loses the obsequious homage which follows
only power.
But he offered no more than an occasional
criticism of Mr.. Hayes or his government, and
never opposition, except to Schurz. his dislike
for whom was doubtless returned in kind. SEIZURE
was indeed one of the men for whom Grant con-
ceived violent hate. yet even Schurz called al
Grants house to inquire for him while the great
soldier lay dying.
Mr.. Hayes also went to the house of his prede
cessor on a visit of sympathy at the same sad
time and attended Grants funeral.